Thursday, July 17, 2014

The amazing St.. Elmo's fire!!

St. Elmo’s fire is a
phenomenon of nature that I’ve never seen. Northern lights, yes, but St. Elmo’s
must be as spectacular. The first description of it I could find was from
Julius Caesar. In his words “In the month of February, about the second watch
of the night there suddenly arose a thick cloud followed by a shower of hail,
and the points of the spears belonging to the Fifth Legion seemed to take
fire.”

What they were witnessing was St. Elmo’s fire, a strange
electrical phenomenon. Blue or violet flames seem to shoot from the tips of
pointed structures, such as masts, steeples or even the horns of cattle. It is
caused by the difference between the electrical charge of the air between a
thunderstorm and the ground. The air becomes ionized and sparks, emitting a
constant blue glow. It is same effect that occurs in a neon tube, although the
tube produces an orange glow, while the while the elements of the atmosphere,
oxygen and nitrogen, glow blue.

It has been witnessed by many great explorers, including Ferdinand
Magellan and Christopher Columbus. Charles Darwin saw it when on board the Beagle.
Julius Caesar noted it in one of his journals, and it was noted in ‘Two
Years Before the Mast’ by Richard Henry DanaIn his words,

“Everything is in flames. The sky with lightening, the water
with luminous particles, and even the very masts are pointed with a blue
flame.” It was named after St. Elmo, the patron saint of the Mediterranean
sailors.

I’ve used this phenomenon in my soon-to-be published book, Redemptive
Pursuit. And naturally I’ll give you an excerpt which includes the St.
Elmo’s fire.

“Even through his concentration Gervais could see the
lightning flashes through the porthole windows. A mighty storm was brewing
somewhere, that was certain. Another set of flashes convinced him the rampaging
squall was moving closer.A new flash lit up Cibanoux’s vindictive face, a
grimace of delight twisting his features. Gervais knew nothing he could do would stop the maniac. He
was beyond reason. Gervais felt an overwhelming sense of despair. Cibanoux was
no longer human. He would fight the monster to his last breath, but with Slats
and the rest of his crew standing by, he would need more than superhuman
strength to win this battle. Still he had to try. Before he could move there
was another flash, and then another, as the darkness glowed with unnatural
brightness. The cabin door flew up, and several terrified crewmen rushed down
the stairs, grouping behind Jake’s inert body and pushing his dangling body to
one side so they could enter. One in front spoke respectfully to Cibanoux.

“It’s raining fire on the deck, sir. We won’t stay topside
any longer.”

Cibanoux screeched like a violated girl and raised his whip.
“You’ll get a taste of this if you don’t get back to your jobs.”

“I think not, sir, you’d have nobody left to sail your yacht
if you touch any one of us. We support each other, sir.”

Cibanoux flexed the whip. His already red face flushed even
more.

“You insolent dogs. I’ll have you all whipped.”

“By whom, sir? Not meaning to be disrespectful. We’re
together on this, sir.” Cibanoux slammed the whip against the desk near him and then
raised it as if to strike again. “You’re cowardly dogs, all of you. Get out of
here before I lash every one of you.

”His men stood in a solid block against
him. Unmoving, and determined.

The cabin
lit up with another even stronger flash

“Go on deck,
sir. See what’s happening up there.”

Slats did
not move, but eyed the others furtively. Not sure which side would win, he said
nothing, ready to join whichever came out ahead.

Another
brilliant flash of bluish light lit the sky, and someone left on the deck
screamed. Probably the pilot, or so Gervais gessed.

Shouting curses
at his men, Cibanoux ordered Slats to unmanacle Jake and get him out of the
way, and when the body fell on the floor one of the crew dragged him inside the
cabin. The others thronged in, filling the cabin.

Cibanoux
shouted at the men. “You fucking cowards! I’ll go up and show you how a
courageous man acts. There’s nothing up there but lightning. Then I’ll take the
lash to you all.”

He rushed up
the stairs, cursing as he went.

His sailors let
him go. It was obvious to Gervais none of them were willing to leave the
sanctuary of the cabin.

Slats stood
undecided for a moment. Looking around him, he could see nothing that would
indicate Cibanoux would not win. His enemies were powerless. He hurried after
his master.

But what the
hell was happening on the main deck?

Another flash
of lightning struck, almost as if were aiming for the boat.

Someone again
screamed, and Gervais decided it was time to investigate. He too, went up the
steps, stopping first to cast an agonized glance at the almost fainting
Danielle and the still comatose Amanda.

He jumped onto
the deck, unable to believe the pandemonium.”

Hope you’ll all
tell me if you’ve seen St. Elmo’s fire. This is my 32nd book and the
33rd is under edit. See you next month.

Jean, congratulations on 32 books. What a milestone! Thanks for the info about St. Elmo's Fire. I've heard of it but didn't know much about it. I, too, thought of the movie. Great excerpt. Love how you work St. Elmo's Fire into your story.